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WICB shifts New Zealand Test from Guyana

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board on Saturday announced that it has pulled the New Zealand test match from Guyana after the board and the Donald Ramotar administration failed to reach agreement on the independent governance of cricket in the country.

“As a consequence the WICB is left with no option but to relocate the Third Test between West Indies and New Zealand from Guyana,” the regional governing body said in a statement.

The WICB says it is currently considering alternative venues and the new venue of the Test will be announced on Monday June 2nd. The dates of the Test – June 26 to 30 – remain.

The WICB says it regrets having to take this course of action and seeks the understanding of cricket fans and stakeholders in Guyana.

The WICB advised that following engagement with the Government of Guyana on matters pertaining to the Cricket Administration Bill in Guyana, the parties have not been able to find a mutually agreeable resolution.

“The WICB has serious reservations that the Cricket Administration Bill which was passed in the Guyana National Assembly thrusts the administration of cricket in Guyana from an independent body to the Government of Guyana. This the WICB views as undesirable and inconsistent with International Cricket Council tenets.

The WICB sought an undertaking from His Excellency President Donald Ramotar that the bill not be signed into law until these matters are resolved.

The Board gave its commitment that once His Excellency President Ramotar provided such an undertaking all arrangements in Guyana will be kept in place.

Regrettably the WICB has not received such an undertaking from His Excellency President Ramotar.

The WICB will continue to review all matters pertaining to cricket in Guyana.